ESSENDON'S bid to have No.1 pick contender Will Brodie play for its VFL side during the last month of the season has been knocked back.

The Bombers recently inquired to have the competitive midfielder line up for their state league side once his school football commitments with Scotch College were over.

But the request did not progress any further, with the AFL ruling that if Brodie played at VFL level it would be with Richmond's VFL side, which has a link with Brodie's TAC Cup club the Murray Bushrangers.

Through that tie, the 17-year-old has regularly been using Richmond's facilities throughout the year for recovery and training purposes. 

Because of that established link, the AFL said if Brodie was to play any VFL at the end of the season it would be with the Tigers.

Brodie is a leading contender to be the No.1 choice this year, which Essendon looks set to hold after winning only one game this season.

Bombers open to trading first draft pick: CEO

He has enjoyed a consistent season at all levels he's played, including for the NAB AFL Academy earlier this year against VFL sides and throughout Vic Country's under-18 carnival.

The 189cm prospect averaged 21 disposals throughout the championships, won the fourth-most clearances of all players (averaging five a game) and was named an All Australian.

He was sidelined with a shoulder injury after the carnival but played for Scotch College on the weekend, and will spend the rest of the season with the Bushrangers in the under-18 system.

The Victorian is among a number of players who are in the mix for the No.1 choice in an unusually open field, alongside Hugh McCluggage, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Andrew McGrath, Ben Ainsworth and Jack Bowes.

Taller prospects Todd Marshall, who kicked three goals on the weekend, Tim English and Jack Scrimshaw could also be contenders with a big finish to the season.