The Magpies arrived at their decision on Thursday night after training and informed AFL Riverina of their withdrawal on Friday morning.

"We're confirming that we won't be going ahead this year, purely on the basis of health reasons and the safety of our committee and players," Pieper said.

TRYC became the second club in as many days to reach the decision, after Coleambally withdraw on Wednesday night. Barellan decided last month against playing.

The club was heavily hit when Victorian residents were ruled out and border-based players in doubt.

Pieper said this week's decision to close the NSW-Victoria border was a factor but the escalation of the health crisis in the past week was their primary motive, including the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian putting the state on high alert.

"It was purely with the unknown of the virus and the way it's been perceived this week in the media and with the premier. We felt that it was probably not real good to put the elderly at our club at risk," Pieper said.

"Definitely since the closure of the borders, because we had players - even previous to the Hume and other leagues closing - we had players who live in those areas and were travelling.

"But we've been of the view the whole way through that we don't want to put anyone at risk. But we seemed to be getting on top of it, progressing and progressing.

"Up until two weeks ago it seemed like everyone was on top of it and it was going to be safe to play so we were backing the league in their decisions then that it was safe enough to do so.

"But now we've had to make our own decisions. There was a fair bit of concern over the last few days. Definitely at training last night, and phone calls since Monday in regards to why (we should play) if it's putting people at risk."

Highlighting just how quickly things have moved in a chaotic few weeks, the 'Pies first went from reluctant participants to potential premiers when almost 20 players came to the club looking for a game following the cancellation of border leagues.

But as quickly as excitement built last Thursday and Friday, it was swept away at the start of this week as Melbourne's Covid-19 crisis grew and soon enveloped the whole state.

Victorian residents now won't be permitted in AFL Riverina competitions and travel between Albury and Wagga is currently only permitted in desperate circumstances.