Footy great confesses that he was DRUNK when he suited up for a grand final after necking six beers: ‘It was the greatest day of my life’

NRL star Luke Davico has revealed how he took the field before the 1994 grand final after drinking six beers in an attempt to take away the sharp hangover from a huge session the night before the big match.

The 1994 Canberra Raiders will forever be known as one of the best teams ever assembled and toured to win the premiership that season in Mal Meninga’s final year at the club.

They included Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley in the half, Meninga and Ruben Wiki in the centers and Steve Walters at hooker.

Brett Mullins was lethal at fullback, Ken Nagas and Noa Nadruku were unstoppable on the wings and the Green Machine had an engine room that included Brad Clyde and David Furner.

And in a strange, last-minute decision that would never happen in the modern era, the 1994 Grand Final also featured an intoxicated Luke Davico, who somehow found his way to the Sydney Football Stadium with the number 47 shirt on.

Davico looked excited and threw a footy between his hands. He didn’t look like he’d been wrecking Toohey’s New schooners all afternoon, but he was

A few hours earlier, Davico and Raiders teammate Mark Corvo were in the crowd getting pumped up for the grand finale

“I remember thinking, ‘How the hell am I here?’ I couldn’t believe it was happening; you couldn’t make it up. If it didn’t actually happen, people would say I was full of crap,” Davico said News Corp.

‘Double denims for six schooners to warm up for a grand final, arm in arm singing the national anthem for a lap of honor and a grand final medal. It was the best day of my life.’

Davico had just turned 21 and made his own way to Sydney for the grand final with his good friend and teammate Mark Corvo.

They rode the day before and started the festivities early, waking up on the day of the grand final with a biting hangover after a long drinking session.

So they arrived at the ground in their jeans and denim jackets and immediately started hitting the beer again to get some “hair off the dog,” Davico explained.

However, the wheels for his shocking appearance on the field were already in motion.

John Lomax had been sent off in the preliminary final against North Sydney and was unavailable – and coach Tim Sheens was loath to pick his last team until the last minute.

Davico had been warned to train during the final because his shot might come – and it did when he least expected it.

The 1994 Grand Final was one of the most memorable and was Mal Meninga’s last match for the club after an illustrious career

Once again Davico turns up and is presented with his grand final medal by then NSW Premier John Fahey

It was chaos after the final siren, with Davico celebrating alongside Raiders greats Meninga and Laurie Daley

So when Davico and Corvo decided to hang out in the reserve league dugout, they had no idea Davico would get the call of his life.

“We were sitting behind Tim and he turned looking at the reserve class and said, ‘Statue, you’re in the official program, put your gear on.’

‘I went to change and smelled like a brewery. They gave m3 show jumping horse number 47.

“The first-grade team ran out, pumped, and suddenly I was part of it. I came out last. Everyone was excited for the match. I went to the dugout, but ‘Sheensy’ said, ‘Go over there, sit in there, suck it up.’ Corvs was laughing at himself.”

Footage from the grand final shows Davico in jersey No. 47 as he follows the team out of the warehouse as the last man on the extended bench. However, he didn’t get around to playing.

After Meninga famously lifted the premiership trophy, the players were invited on stage to receive their grand final medal.

Although Davico was not allowed to play in the 1994 Grand Final, he quickly got his chance and enjoyed a long career with the Raiders.

Once again there is Davico, shaking hands with the confused-looking NSW Premier John Fahey and accepting the medal.

He even tried to steal the Provan-Summons trophy as he left Queanbeyan Leagues Club after partying with the team late into the night.

“As soon as the siren went, I was on the field hugging everyone, and I thought it was the best thing since sliced ​​bread,” Davico said.

“I joke with Laurie Daley that I pushed everyone aside and think I was third on the podium to get my medal. I did the lap of honor.

“I managed to get a flight home and remember being caught leaving the Queanbeyan Leagues Club trying to steal the Winfield Cup trophy but they caught me on the way out.

“All this while six schooners deep and hungover from the night before. I still have the medal and mug on my mantelpiece at home. I tell people it probably sums up my career – almost a higher award, but a bee’s cut short.’