MVP: Horo identifies key player in Wests Tigers' finals hunt

SEN’s Justin Horo has praised Jahream Bula as the Wests Tigers “most important player” following his successful return from injury.

Bula returned after five weeks out, having suffered a shoulder injury in the Tigers victory over the Canberra Raiders.

His return coincides with a number of stars returning for the Tigers, with Api Koroisau and Heamasi Makasini also coming back from injury, while Adam Doueihi is due back in the next couple of weeks.

Bula made an immediate impact in his comeback, scoring a try and running for 139 metres, but it’s his defensive efforts that had heads turning.

It was an incredible try-saver on Bulldogs’ captain Stephen Crichton on the stroke of half-time that maintained the Tigers lead at the break, successfully holding Crichton up over the line and forcing an error.

Bula’s impact coincided with a return to the winner’s circle for the Tigers, with Horo identifying the immediate impact of the Tigers fullback.

“I've been saying it for 12 months now, he's the most important player in their team,” Horo told NRL Crunch Time.

“Over Api (Koroisau), over Jarome (Luai), over Doueihi’s form.

“Think about the games that they play and the way their attack looks with Bula, and how more energetic Jarome is. When they've got him there, their attack looks completely different.

“And it's not like he's… just an attacking fullback as well. (He) comes up with a number of huge plays defensively as well.”

The Wests Tigers next play the Panthers at Commbank Stadium as they continue to push for a top eight spot.