Essendon got a first-hand glimpse of what Will Brodie could bring to the club next season in a scratch match against the Suns.

According to AFL Media's Callum Twomey, Brodie donned the famous red sash in a scratch match between the Suns and Bombers to resolve an imbalance in numbers between the two sides.

Essendon has been linked to the 2016 first-round draft pick, who has only played one game this season.

Brodie has played 20 games for the Suns in four seasons and is contracted until the end of 2022.