Another AFL player has been linked to alleged Melbourne gangland figure Angelo Venditti.

Police recently spied St Kilda Saints ruckman Michael Gardiner drinking with Mr Venditti at a suburban Melbourne pub, News Limited reports.

Mr Venditti was freed on bail with a $400,000 surety last week after police in court named new Richmond signing and Gardiner's former West Coast Eagles teammate Ben Cousins as another acquaintance of the accused.

St Kilda have acknowledged Gardiner is "a mate" of Mr Venditti, who is charged with ordering a contract killing on drug dealer Paul Kallipolitis in Sunshine in 2002.

Mr Venditti, 43, who's also known as "Fat Ange", reportedly also has links to gangland figures Mick Gatto and John Kizon.

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