AFL BOSS Andrew Demetriou has again denied reports that a deal has already been done with Essendon, saying it is "a nonsense" to suggest otherwise.

Demetriou has also flagged the possibility of an open hearing of the AFL Commission if the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority report on Essendon results in charges being laid.

Demetriou said an open hearing would ensure widespread transparency.

It follows his remarks after the Adelaide/Kurt Tippett affair earlier this year that the hearing should have been made public.

"I think there's a lot of merit in an open hearing," he said on 774 ABC Radio on Friday.

"I said that after the Adelaide case. In many ways it would have been advantageous for the public to have seen what happened in the Adelaide hearing rather than what the outcome was and (asking) how did they get to that outcome."

"If there are charges laid, then that will be a discussion between the respective legal parties, taking into account issues of privacy. But there's a lot of merit in a public hearing.

"From our perspective, and we have said this consistently, the AFL is interested in protecting the integrity of the game, making sure we put the welfare of the players first and also, whatever we do, making sure we do it transparently.

"We want to find out the truth, the Essendon Football Club wants to find out the truth, there are individuals whose lives are affected by this, including players, so that’s an imperative."

Demetriou expressed disappointment at reports that Essendon players had already been told to brace themselves for the loss of premiership points.

"There is no reason for anybody to be saying that because nobody has formed a view, and that's what I said the other day after those silly comments from Tim Watson," he said.

"It's a nonsense being put forward."