And little wonder considering what is on the line for the Diesels.

After 29 years, Junee is within one step of playing in only their second grand final since a teenage Laurie Daley shared premiership glory with the Diesels in 1986.

In the intervening period, Junee has merely managed to get a crack at the grand final in 2010, only to lose 22-8 to Tumut at Lavington Sportsground.

Coincidentally, that was the year Mark Hallburton was away from his home town and playing football in Tamworth.

“That was bad timing,” Halliburton said. “At least I’m here this time.”

As a self-confessed “worker” in the team boasting, Halliburton is definitely one of the unsung heroes of Junee’s success in 2015.

While the likes of star centre Peter Little, skipper Matt Hands and speedster Tristan Dickson hogging much the spotlight, Halliburton keeps plugging away to build a solid foundation.

“I’m just a worker and I focus on doing the job,” Halliburton said.

“I know my job and hard this game is going to be.”

Born and bred in Junee, Halliburton was only 17 years old when he was blooded in first grade off the bench before breaking into the team as a lock a year later.

Heading into the critical showdown with Southcity, Halliburton says he is edgy but also bristling with excitement.

“You just have to try to approach it like every other game,” he said. “I’m definitely a bit nervous but really looking forward to it as well.”

With a cool head, Halliburton knows there will no room for over-confidence.

“I think it will be tight,” he said. 

“We’re definitely expecting it be.

“We can score tries, but so can they.

“It all came down to the last minute in the last game.”

Last month Junee snatched a 24-22 victory over the Bulls with a try 75 seconds from the siren.

For Mark Halliburton – and probably the rest of Junee – cutting it quite so fine on Sunday would certainly make life interesting.