JOEL Mackie's coaching career at Osborne has been stalled with the former Albury star heeding advice from the NSW Government against travelling.
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Mackie stayed in Albury and missed the Tigers' training session on Thursday night after Premier Gladys Berejiklian threatened further coronavirus restrictions.
Leading Ovens and Murray players including Brayden O'Hara and Jake Gaynor also opted against driving to Wagga for training.
"It would have been good to go to training with the season starting in just over a week but all you can do is follow government advice," Mackie said.
"Hopefully the situation improves in the coming days."
Osborne, who crossed to the Riverina league this season after the Hume league abandoned its senior competition, is scheduled to play a practice match against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Saturday.
O'Hara and Gaynor have joined Wagga Tigers on permit from Albury and had no hesitation in withdrawing from training.
We have pulled the pin on training for now
- Wagga Tigers recruit Brayden O'Hara
"We have pulled the pin on training for now and will wait and see what happens," O'Hara said.
"Hopefully the number of cases stays low and things improve.
"I think everyone is waiting for a bit more clarity."
AFL Southern NSW regional manager Marc Geppert strongly advised players to follow government advice.
"We are working with the NSW Government around the recommendations that border communities don't travel into other regional areas," Geppert said.
"As it stands it is a recommendation from the NSW Government therefore the same recommendation is endorsed by AFL NSW ACT."
The NSW Government's decision to close down the border on Wednesday forced many Victorian-based Ovens and Murray and Hume league players to abandon plans to play in the Riverina and Farrer leagues.
Coleambally withdrew from the Farrer league on Wednesday night while The Rock-Yerong Creek is shaping as a doubtful starter.
