He will play on Saturday against Shepparton Swans and in the final home-and-away round, against Shepparton, at Moon Oval.
Atley had 32 possessions, took 10 marks and five inside-50s in the 38-point round six victory against Shepparton Swans; his last appearance with the club.
He has played 16 games with Essendon in the VFL competition this season and only two with Rochester — against Echuca in round one and against the Swans earlier in the year.
The Swans had no answer for Atley and elder brother Shaun the last time the teams met, the pair combining for 67 possessions (half of those contested).
Rochester’s forward play was the difference between the two teams in round six, Mitch Cricelli, Steve Stroobants and James McPhee heavily influencing the forward-50 marks count.
The Tigers trio took 11 marks in the attacking zone as Rochester won the statistical count 21-9.
Rochester lost the clearance and tackle counts in the victory, while managing only six more disposals than its opposition.
While Shaun Atley has now played nine games with the Tigers this season, missing the middle rounds of the year while travelling overseas, Joe will have appeared on just four occasions by season’s end.
He has averaged 20 possessions, five tackles and almost six clearances with the Bombers.
The youngest of the Atley brothers will be hoping for a different free kick return from this weekend’s match, having given away nine free kicks in round six against the Swans.
Jacob, the third of the brothers, has played only 11 of a possible 16 games this season, but remains the team’s leading intercept marker.