St Kilda AFL club rallied around two players at the centre of rape allegations, shielding them from the media at their official season launch.

The club has named Stephen Milne, 24, and Leigh Montagna, 20, as the subjects of a police investigation into claims of "sexual misconduct".

Both players have emphatically denied the allegations, and the club says they support and believe the pair.

Milne and Montagna stood in the back row hiding behind much taller players as the squad took the stage at the club's season launch held at Melbourne's Docklands on Wednesday night.

They earlier made an unexpected return to the football field, taking to the field at the Saints' home ground at Moorabbin for a training session with the rest of the team.

St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said a decision to excuse the pair from training was reversed after it was decided they should not be isolated from the playing group.

Thomas said the rape allegations could ultimately strengthen the club.

Facing the media for the first time since the issue became public, he noted the positives that could come out of the latest in a spate of sexual misconduct claims against footballers around Australia.

"I've got no doubt that it will galvanise us and make us even stronger and closer and better," Thomas said.

"It's just another reminder that this game is under intense scrutiny all the time and how easily there is potential for us to get sidetracked.

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