Manly United's Joey Schirripa has confirmed he was passed over by Sydney, leaving the way clear for Sydney Olympic fullback Cole to take the final team slot.

Both players were versatile left-sided players and appeared neck and neck in the race for a contract - but Cole had an edge in being able to play on the right too.

"I'm only human - obviously it's disappointing," Schirripa told the Manly Daily. "I understand where Kossie was coming from though.

"The positive is I get to finish the year with Manly. I really want to put my best foot forward in the finals and finish the year on a high with the boys."