AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has confirmed clubs could lose points or even a premiership if players test positive to drugs on match day.

Demetriou said the AFL Commission had the power to act if more than one player in a club had positive results.

"If more than one player at one club tests positive to performance enhancing drugs the league can act under rule 18 of the anti-doping code," Demetriou told The Australian newspaper.

The AFL was seeking to clarify the extent of the commission's powers as it assesses the conditions that would apply to the return of former West Coast player Ben Cousins to competition.

Cousins, who was suspended for a year for bringing the game into disrepute because of his drug addiction has applied to be re-registered so he can enter the December national draft.

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