Debuting in 1981 after being recruited from North Geelong, Bews played over 200 games for Geelong. Representing Victoria, he won the Simpson Medal in 1987 for best on ground against Western Australia in Perth. He went on to earn All-Australian selection the same year.
Bews moved to Brisbane in 1994 to play for the Brisbane Bears where he was used in defence. Bews' height was 175 cm and his weight 83 kg.
In addition to his football career Bews was a talented junior athlete, along with his brothers Stephen and Grant, all competing for the Geelong Guild Athletic Club. Bews' earliest victories came at the 1978 "Weekly Times" Victorian Country Track and Field Championships held at Landy Field, South Geelong where he gained three gold medals in the men's under 14 90 metre hurdles, long and triple jump events.
Bews continues his links with the Geelong Guild Athletic Club, after retiring from football, he returned to track and field athletics as a veteran.
Bews most recently was the MC for the Geelong Guild Athletic Club's Centenary Dinner, held in Capri Receptions at North Geelong on 12 July 2008.
South Australia 18.17 (125) defeated Victoria 17.13 (115), at Football Park, 13 May 1986, crowd: 43,143
Western Australia 21.11 (137) d Victoria 20.14 (134), at Subiaco Oval, 8 July 1986, crowd: 39,863
Victoria 19.12 (126) defeated Western Australia 10.12 (72), at the WACA Ground, 16 May 1989, crowd: 20,993
Victoria 22.17 (149) defeated South Australia 9.9 (63), at the MCG, 1 July 1989, crowd: 91,960
Victoria 12.14 (86) defeated South Australia 11.4 (70), at Football Park, 28 May 1991
Western Australia 19.13 (127) defeated Victoria 7.9 (51), at the WACA Ground, 16 July 1991
Victoria 23.19 (157) defeated Western Australia 13.12 (90), at the MCG, 26 May 1992
South Australia 19.19 (133) defeated Victoria 18.12 (120), at Football Park, 7 July 1992