The Brisbane Lions can confirm Dale Tapping as a new assistant coach ahead of the 2017 season.

Tapping has coached Collingwood’s VFL side since 2013, and before that guided the Sandringham Dragons to the TAC Cup premiership in 2011 after leading the elite under 18 side for three seasons.

This season he was awarded the 2016 VFL Coach of the Year.

Senior Coach Chris Fagan will announce the final structure of the coaching group in the coming days.

“Dale is a great relationship builder, a good communicator and an experienced coach,” said Football General Manager David Noble.

“He’s coached in his own right and has a strong track record with player development and is ready to take on a key assistant role.”

Career Statistics

Coaching Career: Collingwood (Midfield Development Coach) 2012; Collingwood VFL Coach 2013-2016.

Coached With: Nathan Buckley (2012-2016), Rodney Eade (2012-2014), Mitch Hahn (2012-2013), Ben Hart (2012-2016), Robert Harvey (2012-2016), Matthew Lappin (2012-2014), Tarkyn Lockyer (2012-2016), Craig McRae (2012-2015), Anthony Rocca (2012-2016), Scott Burns (2014-2016), Steve Grace (2014-2016), Jared Rivers (2016).

Players coached by Tapping at the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup: Jack Gunston (Adelaide/Hawthorn), Max Gawn (Melbourne), Ben Jacobs (Port Adelaide), Daniel Farmer (Collingwood 2011-2012), Jarryd Lyons (Adelaide), Declan Reilly (Collingwood rookie 2011), Liam Sumner (Greater Western Sydney), Jackson Paine (Collingwood/Brisbane), Alex Woodward (Hawthorn), Fletcher Roberts (Western Bulldogs), Sam Frost (Greater Western Sydney rookie), Ben Darrou (Richmond rookie).