I have to say my gut reaction is the same as Yeti's ... Wtf AFL...
I can see the other side too, great player, his 'turn', and his achievements on the field are wholey unrelated to the 2012 saga.
But 2012 is a huge blemish on the game. Yes he's been hit for 6 etc etc..., But this smells of trying sweep under the carpet, (see also WCE and their meth coast hey-days)
I suspect a more suitable option would have been to pick some old codger who won it in the 1980s, and work forward from there, then give Hird his turn in 10 years, once his ban is served