A second AFL club has been linked with the man central to the Australian sport anti-doping investigation.

Melbourne Demons are yet to respond to claims aired on Thursday night that they had dealings with former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank.

The ABC’s 7.30 Report says it has copies of text messages between Melbourne’s club doctor Dan Bates and Dank stretching back to mid-2012.

Several Demons players were named in the messages, which suggest a supplements regime at the club – in which Dank had involvement.

Melbourne has previously denied Dank was ever employed by the club.

None of the substances mentioned in the messages are specifically banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The ABC alleges the text messages between Dank and Bates continued until the day Essendon fronted a media conference to reveal they had concerns over their supplements program and Dank’s work at that club.

The Demons have had a terrible season, losing their first three matches by huge margins.

They face a critical clash with Greater Western Sydney Giants at the MCG on Sunday.

Essendon are already under investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) as part of the wider probe into the AFL and NRL.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said last week no other AFL club apart from Essendon was involved in the ASADA investigation.