I think this is the problem. How would the reaction be if it were one of our guys rubbed out for 4 weeks for THAT. I know I'd want to tear down AFL House brick by brick.
The issue is whether it was Maxwell's shoulder or head that did the damage. For this process to ignore Maxwell's defence entirely (medical evidence to suggest head contact was made, and supporting video evidence to suggest their may have been a head clash) is unbelievable. To suggest that Maxwell had a "realistic alternative" to the shepherd is just poppycock. He may have had alternatives to;
a) stand still and let the opponent run unimpeded
b) go for the ball and get tackled
c) bump the opponent off to allow a team mate to gather the ball
d) run over the boundary line and into the changerooms to collect his bag and go home
but he chose to bump, which is a legitimate part of the game. That this action "possibly" (for those who still doubt) caused a head clash resulting in injury is just an unfortunate factor of a contact sport.
Medical evidence supporting a head clash + video footage that shows a possible head clash + umpire allowing play to continue = absolutely bullshit decision by the tribunal processes.