THE 17 banned present and former Essendon players who remain on AFL lists are not being tested under the League's illicit drugs policy during their suspension.  

Of the 34 players suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in January, 12 remain on Essendon's list and five remain at three other clubs.  

The AFL does not have jurisdiction to test the players under its revamped two strikes illicit drugs policy until they return to their clubs. 

Although they are permitted to return to training in September, they will not be subject to illicit drug testing until their Court of Arbitration for Sport-ordered suspension expires in November.

"The players aren't tested for illicit drugs while they are serving the 12-month ban, as the WADA code overrides with its suspension in place," an AFL spokesman confirmed.   

"The players can’t be at the club in the period of their WADA suspension." 

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority confirmed it wouldn't be testing the banned players for illicit drugs. 

"Illicit drug use does not fall within ASADA’s mandate unless the substance is included on the WADA prohibited list and used in competition," an ASADA spokesperson told AFL.com.au.

The AFL's illicit drugs policy covers the use of substances such as cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana.

During the off-season former Bomber Jake Carlisle was caught on social media snorting a white substance while on holiday in the United States, causing dramas in his transition to St Kilda.  

The publication of the social media video led the Saints to ban Carlisle from the opening two games of this season, although that was overridden by his eventual doping ban.  

Last year Collingwood's Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas were suspended for two years after taking an illicit substance, which a drug test later showed contained the performance enhancing drug clenbuterol.  

The 17 players are still required to undergo ASADA testing for performance-enhancing drugs.

"Yes. The AFL Anti-Doping Code 2015 states: 'A Player or other Person subject to a period of ineligibility shall remain subject to Testing'," the ASADA spokesperson confirmed.

The anti-doping body wouldn't comment on whether the banned players would be target tested during their suspension.

"We cannot discuss our testing operations and methodology," the spokesperson said.

"Each player should continue to provide to their club their address and telephone numbers and other up to date details of their whereabouts so as to permit out-of-competition testing."

At least eight of the suspended players have begun training under the guidance of former assistant coach and Essendon premiership player Sean Wellman and fitness guru David Buttifant.  

The players were spotted on Monday taking part in a session at St Bernard's College in Melbourne's inner-north-west.