The 47-year-old thought last season was going to be his last in long career with whistle in hand.

It didn't even past pre-season before Group Nine's best referee was back on the field.

However another failed retirement attempt will see him chalk up with 450^th Group Nine game when Gundagai and Tumut face off for a place in the grand final at Harris Park on Sunday.

Given the nod over Ben Whitby, who will officiate his 300^th game next week, for the first grade fixture, Muir is looking forward to bringing up the milestone in the big clash.

"This time of year is a pretty exciting time of year but to tick that box in a game like this weekend is pretty satisfying," Muir said.

"One season just rolls into another and they just seem to add up."

Muir refereed his first game in the Temora juniors in the mid 1980s before going on to referee his first Group Nine fixture in 1993.

He gave Sydney's refeering ranks at crack, but injury and the city lifestyle didn't suit.

Instead he returned to Wagga.

The preliminary final is also his 333^rd first game and it's something Muir is very proud of.

With daughter Sarah-Jane progressing through the ranks and refeering her first senior grand final in leaguetag last season, Muir thought the time was right to hang up the whistle.

However with Jake White, Brad Hart and Shane Bartlett leaving the ranks he offered referee's director Tony Fletcher his services.

It's something he doesn't regret doing.

"This is probably my third or fourth attempt and I was pretty satisfied last year given my daughter Sarah-Jane did a grand final as well," Muir said.

"I was happy to call it a day and getting into coaching but as we'd lost three first grade guys from last year I was going to be fourth.

"We'd lost a bit of experience at the top and just chatting with Fletch in the pre-season I said 'I was happy to fill some spots and to put me where you need me' and it's led from there.

"I'm trying to keep a high standard for the guys to aim at and a lot certainly aren't far behind and that is the most satisfying thing.

"We've had a lot of referees put their hand up and are really making their mark."

Muir is now in the box seat to referee next week's grand final.

It would be his fourth after spending the best part of a decade playing second fiddle to Bernie Nix.

After being given a shot in 2012, Muir has refereed the last two grand finals.

Heading into another big game, especially a clash of two arch rivals with their season's at stake, the 47-year-old is looking to ensure a few simple things keep everything in order.

"For me it's making sure I'm communicating well with the ruck, keeping discipline there and the game will take care of itself," he said.

"Plus set a good 10 metres.

"When you've been around a while you get to see a lot of the players a lot so I like to think there is a lot of mutual respect."

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