That dream will come to fruition on Saturday after the Calderwood-based referee was appointed as the centre official for the Laurie Daley Cup grand final between the Central Coast Roosters and Northern Tigers at Blacktown's HE Laybutt Field.

"I was buzzing when the appointments came through," Micallef said.

"Like a player, your goal is to make a grand final and for it to be a representative fixture makes it even more special."

The now 21-year-old first started officiating in 2014, before establishing himself as one of the top referees on the South Coast - highlighted by him being in charge of the 2020 under 18s decider between Stingrays and Shellharbour at Centenary Field.

"The Group Seven referees, who have been a great support for not only me but the other representative referees, have played a big part in getting me to where I am today," the former Kiama Knights player said.

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"Having served on the board for the previous three seasons, I have seen first hand the shift in culture and attitude within our ranks which has allowed us all to focus purely on refereeing."

The Kiama High School alumnus was appointed to Saturday's under 18s decider on the back of strong form during the competition's five regular-season rounds, as well as Saturday's semi-finals.

"I received some good, honest feedback from the matchday coaches and assessors which helped me continue to improve each week during this competition," he said.

"You have to be putting your best foot forward in these shortened representative competitions, especially when you are competing against the best referees in the regional areas."

Micallef, who was named jointed winner of Group Seven's Chris Treneman Referees' Referee Award in 2020, ranks this appointment as one of the best moments of his young career.

"This is definitely up there at the top of the list, along with being the youngest first grade Group Seven referee debuting at 16 years old in 2016," he said.

"It's something I've been working hard towards for the past couple of years, so to achieve the goal is incredible."

Saturday's decider, kicking off at 12.40pm, is one of three games on the slate, including the Andrew Johns Cup and open men's country championships final.

"I've got no real expectations going into Saturday's grand final - I'm just excited for the opportunity," he said.

"I'm fortunate enough to have two of my good mates running the line in Bailey Warren (Group Seven) and Nathan Eveleigh (Newcastle).

"I'll have quick chat with them pre-game around our teamwork and areas I'd like them to assist me on but apart from that I'll be looking to let the game flow and only interjecting when I need to."

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Once the final siren sounds on Saturday, Micallef aims to use this country championships as a springboard into his best Group Seven season to date.

"I'll be trying to take the momentum from the representative fixtures into the local league," he said.

"Like any referee, the ultimate goal is to be blowing time on in the first grade decider at the end of the season and it's definitely a long term goal of mine.

"In the meantime, I'd just like to be ultra-consistent in first grade throughout this season and continue to improve each week.

"I know if do that, I'll give myself the best chance to be in the mix come September."

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