I think the thing that annoys most people is that he was given an AA gig for it when plenty of others are better and more deserving. The media then tried to claim he was some sort of great defender when he was just a good role player. It has nothing to do with Maxwell the player but it does affect people's opinion of him. Lumumba was probably the worst AA ever but Maxwell is not that much better. 200 games is a great effort from a solid player with no particular standout qualities (save for leadership?).
I will admit, i don't remember who else was a worthy selection that year, but i have no problem with someone playing Maxwell's role getting AA. He improved the Collingwood back line significantly, and helped to keep dick heads like Heath Shaw in line. That could be just as big an impact as keeping KPF's quiet, or getting 30 disposals off half back.
Brian Lake reads the play well, he plays on someone. Again, no idea why you are putting Maxwell in the same sentence as Ablett. Remember, the guy is a defender, it's kind of crucial that you can beat an opponent one on one more often than not. For a defender, one of the biggest knocks on him were that he struggled one on one. For us, Hodge, Gibson etc can and do beat players regularly one on one.
As I've said, the guy played more AFL games than I have or will ever play, and he's a premiership captain so he's done very well for himself.
Brian Lake doesn't have anywhere near the third man up impact that Maxwell was having during his peak. Even guys like Hodge and Gibson, at times they have no opponent, or are put on some crappy forward who probably isn't going to kick a bag anyway. Also, i disagree that beating an opponent one on one is crucial to you being a good defender, especially when your actions make the rest of your defence significantly better.
I'm not comparing him to Ablett in the sense of who is better, simply looking at the role. If Ablett was more defensively accountable, he wouldn't have as much offensive impact. Similarly, if Maxwell were more defensively accountable on an individual opponent, it would detract from his ability to be third man up, and influence the contests involving his teammates. The exact same thing is true for Hodge, or Gibson, or anyone. Besides, i think the amount of time Maxwell was a loose man is overstated anyway. Guys like Hodge or Maxwell have an ability to judge the play and run off their opponent (or let their opponent get sucked up the field), which makes them look loose, when in reality they are just ensuring they are in position to influence the contest.