AS MANY as nine AFL clubs have been found by the Australian Crime Commission to be vulnerable to illicit drugs, and by extension, organised crime, a newspaper report says.

The Age reported on Monday that the ACC, in a confidential briefing with the AFL, named at least seven vulnerable clubs.

All 18 clubs will be briefed individually by the AFL to discuss any concerns.

On Sunday, AFL deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed that Essendon was being investigated over alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs by multiple players, possibly without their consent or knowledge.

He also revealed that a player at another club was suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs.

The Age reported that the second club was unaware of its involvement in the doping scandal.

Dank to sue for $10 million

One of the clubs reportedly regarded by the ACC as vulnerable is Collingwood, whose CEO Gary Pert last year initiated the AFL's first drugs summit when he expressed concerns over ''volcanic'' behavior by players in the off-season.

The Age reported that Fairfax Media contacted every AFL club on Sunday and was told none had been informed about a player being investigated for drug cheating.

The newspaper believed the club in question would be informed by the ACC or ASADA as early as Monday.