After being delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of the last AFL season, the 22-year-old footballer is desperate to earn a second opportunity at the top level.
In a bid to do so, he has signed with Essendon’s VFL side for the upcoming expanded VFL season which will involve 22 teams.
But when he’s not pulling on the red and black, Atley could be at Rochester playing in the yellow and black.
The colours he learnt the game in.
“My main goal is to get back on an AFL list and I’m very grateful for the opportunity it has given me,” Atley said.
“I still think I can offer something to a club, but I know only consistent and good footy is going to get me there.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Rochester when I get the chance, but that is something we will work out during the year.”
Atley said Essendon stood out to him as he looked for a potential new footballing home.
“I had been talking to a few clubs and I’m thankful for their interest,” he said.
“Essendon has a really strong program, and their facilities are some of the best there are. I thought that would be a great chance to give me the opportunity I’m chasing.”
While he is focused on chasing an AFL dream still, Atley said he would one day love to play with his brothers, Jacob and Shaun, at local level.
“That is something we’ve spoken about before,” Atley said.
“But who knows when that will be with Shaun still playing consistently in the AFL for North Melbourne.”
Rochester coach Steve Stroobants said Atley would provide more quality to the side when he was able to pull on the yellow and black.
“We had been speaking to Joe for a while and he had indicated he was keen to nominate us as his home club,” Stroobants said.
“It would be great if we had him for a few games, especially with the byes in place under the new VFL competition structure.
“But I would expect him to spend most of the year with Essendon.”
Atley was unveiled as an Essendon recruit on the same day the Bombers announced Kyle Dunkley would also play in their VFL side.
“They’re both good inside players,” Essendon VFL coach Leigh Tudor told essendonfc.com.au.
“They're strong at the ball, strong at the man, and have some experience and bigger bodies, which is exactly what we need to help our younger guys.
“They’ll be great for our program and we expect them to lead us in the VFL this year.
“We’re going to be a young (AFL) side, so we’re trying to put together a strong VFL list to complement those guys.”
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