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 come clean about how he took to the field before the 1994 grand final after drinking six beers in an effort to take the edge off a blazing hangover from a huge session the night before the big match.

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

They featured the likes of Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley in the halves, Meninga and Ruben Wiki in the centres and Steve Walters at hooker.

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

And through a freak, last-minute decision that would never happen in the modern era, the 1994 grand final side also featured an intoxicated Luke Davico who somehow found his way onto the Sydney Football Stadium wearing the No.47 jersey. 

'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 bulls**t,' Davico told News Corp. 

'Double denims to six schooners to warming up for a grand final, arm-in-arm singing the national anthem to a lap of honour and grand final medal. It was the greatest day of my life.'

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

They drove up the day before and started the festivities early, waking on the day of the grand final with stinging hangovers after a long drinking session. 

So they arrived at the ground in their denim jeans and denim jackets and immediately starting hitting the beers again to get some 'hair of the dog', Davico explained.

However, the wheels for his shock 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 didn't like picking his final side until the last minute.

Davico had been warned to turn up to training during the finals because his shot might come - and it came when he least expected it to. 

So when Davico and Corvo decided to hang out in the reserve grade dugout, they had no idea that Davico was going to get the call-up of his life.

'We sat behind Tim and he turned around while watching reserve grade and said: 'Statue, you're in the official program, get your gear on'. 

'I went and got changed, smelling like a brewery. They gave m3 jumper number 47.

'The first grade team ran out, pumped, and I was suddenly part of it. I came out last. Everyone was getting geed-up for the game. I went to the dugout but 'Sheensy' said: 'Get out there, get amongst it, suck it up'. Corvs was p***ing himself laughing.'

Footage from the grand final shows Davico in jersey No.47, following the team out of the sheds as the last man on the extended bench. He did not get to play, however.

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

Once again, there is Davico, shaking a confused-looking NSW Premier John Fahey's hand and accepting the medal.

He even tried to pinch the Provan-Summons trophy as he left Queanbeyan Leagues Club after celebrating with the team deep into the night. 

'As soon as the siren went I was out there on the field hugging everyone, thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread, Davico said.

'I joke with Laurie Daley that I pushed everyone out of the way and think I was third one up on stage to get my medal. I did the lap of honour.

'I snagged a flight home and remember getting busted leaving Queanbeyan Leagues Club trying to sneak off 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've still got the medal and mug sitting on my mantelpiece at home. I tell people it probably sums up my career – close to higher honours but a bee's d … k short.'