In the side's worst performance of the season, Kelly and small forward Cameron Wilson were the shining lights.

Kelly played well in the ruck and kicked two goals when pushed forward.

"Ben was fantastic," coach Mark Brown said.

"He's doing everything right to hopefully get taken in the mid-season draft.

"It's a long-shot of course and I think everyone understands that but yesterday was the first time he's played forward for us and he took three really strong marks.

"He keeps improving which is the aim of the competition.

"He's taking strides every time he plays."

The Bushrangers fell three goals behind their opponents in the opening quarter, with the run and carry of co-captain Lachie Ash being sorely missed.

Ash withdrew from the side due to a broken thumb suffered against Geelong last weekend.

"Initially we thought it wouldn't be too bad but a secondary scan showed up that it might require surgery," he said.

"He'll see a specialist this week."

The injury has come at a bad time for the talented Victoria Country youngster with the national titles approaching.

Besides the efforts of Kelly and Wilson, Brown said it was difficult to draw positives from Saturday's loss.

"It was a poor performance with the exception of a couple of good individual efforts," he said.

"We didn't win enough of the footy.

"I think we had one player with 20-plus possessions.

"We just couldn't get our hands on the footy and, when we did, we gave it straight back to them.

"It was a pretty ordinary day for us."

The Bushrangers have the bye this weekend before taking on Oakleigh Chargers at Wangaratta.