The AFL is continuing to defend the tough drug-testing conditions placed on Ben Cousins amid reports today that the former West Coast Eagle may abandon his attempted comeback because the regime is too tough.

In stringent conditions imposed by the AFL Commission, Cousins must agree to urine testing up to three times a week, plus hair testing up to four times a year.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed today that Cousins was yet to be subjected to any hair testing.

Media reports today suggested an AFL-appointed medical officer could not find a hair long enough on Cousins - who recently had his head shaved - for a satisfactory drugs test.

"He turned up to a hair test but he didn't complete the hair test, that's all I can say," Demetriou told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

"I don't think there was a sample that could be taken."

Any failure to stick to the strict conditions would result in Cousins, who was banned for 12 months in November last year for bringing the game into disrepute, being suspended indefinitely pending an investigation.

But the AFL may still face a fight with the AFL Players' Association and Cousins' manager Ricky Nixon over the strict drug-testing regime.

"It's important to recognise that what was determined was based on expert medical advice," Demetriou told Radio 3AW.

"We said we would work with the medicos. All along the way we've relied on their advice."

Cousins' management is believed to be furious that the 2005 Brownlow Medallist has been singled out by the AFL for special treatment.

Cousins is not subject to the AFL's three-strikes drug policy, and any positive test would be immediately referred to AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson.

He must also attend any rehabilitation counselling the AFL's doctors deem appropriate. If Cousins breaches any of the conditions imposed on him by the commission, he risks being immediately suspended by the league.

Demetriou said he wanted to see Cousins back playing the game to aid his rehabilitation.

"He's got less chance of relapsing if he does play football," Demetriou said.

"We want to see him playing. We want to see him healthy."

Demetriou also confirmed that six AFL players had twice tested positive for illegal drugs under the league's three-strikes policy.

He defended the tough conditions imposed on Cousins while other players faced a different testing regime.

"You can't assume they (players who have tested positive) are not being target-tested," Demetriou said.

Demetriou said he was unaware if all six players were still registered AFL players.

Cousins was sacked by West Coast late last year after being arrested by WA police in Perth and charged with possessing a prohibited drug and failing to comply with a requirement to undergo a driver assessment.

Both charges were withdrawn, but the Eagles maintained they were right to sack him, with those incidents the last of a series of misdemeanours involving Cousins.

with AAP