Penrith teenager Wade Graham admits he was "shattered" to be dropped for the Panthers' season opener against Cronulla on Saturday.

The 18-year-old was expected to form a halves combination with 22-year-old Jarrod Sammut in 2009 after the pair made steady progress in the three trial games.

But the youngest halves pairing in the NRL was split this week with coach Matthew Elliott opting to thrust Luke Lewis into Graham's five-eighth position for the clash with Cronulla at Toyota Stadium.

Graham said he was shocked to be dropped but was adamant he would use the disappointment to force his way back into the top squad.

"I just have to cop it on the chin and go back and try to play some good footy and earn my way back into the side," said Graham.

"There is a lot of competition there. (Elliott) just pulled me in earlier in the week and said I wasn't in the 17.

"I have to go and work on my game before I get back in there.

"Luke is a great player and deserves his spot."

Graham said he had been happy with his first full pre-season with the Panthers as he juggled HSC duties during the 2008 season.

"I was stoked with my pre-season. I was pretty shattered when he told me I wasn't playing but what can you do," he said.

"I just have to try and play some footy now.

"You can't do anything about it, I just have to work my way in.

"I know there's always areas you can improve and I will just go back now and do my best and see how I go."

Graham joined Lewis for a promotional swim with grey nurse sharks at the Manly aquarium during the week to raise money for men's cancer.

The diving expedition, part of the Cancer Council's DareDallion campaign, raised over $500.

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