Hovey played in the 1947 Shepparton Boys Football Club's Central Goulburn Valley Football League premiership team as a 15-year-old[1][2] before moving to Geelong to play in the Geelong Under-19's side in 1948.
Hovey was a regular in the Geelong backline during the 1950s and would sometimes push into the midfield.[3] He was a member of Geelong's 1951 and 1952 premiership teams.[4] Hovey, who finished equal seventh in the 1959 Brownlow Medal, was captain of Geelong in 1960, his final season.[4][5] Hovey was forced to retire six games into the 1960 VFL season due to an ongoing knee injury.[6]
Two of his brothers, Ced and Jim, also played league football for Geelong.[7]
Later years
Following his retirement from his playing career, Hovey continued with Geelong in a number of administrative roles, serving as club President of Geelong Football Club from 1988 until 1998.[4][6] He was awarded life membership of the club, social club, past players association, the 'Pivots' coterie group, and the Australian Football League.[6]