Richmond has held its nerve and landed Chris Yarran from Carlton in a swap for pick 19 just minutes before the trade deadline.

The Tigers and Blues had been stuck in a deadlock over the wantaway Blues speedster throughout the NAB AFL Trade Period, wrangling over the value of the pick to be exchanged.

But with less than half an hour to go, the Tigers locked away Yarran on a three-year deal.

Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said he was relieved to finally secure the 24-year-old.

"You're always a bit nervous when it gets to half an hour before the deadline … but we were fairly confident that in the end it would work out," Richardson said.

Carlton originally demanded Richmond's first pick in the draft – No.12 overall – but the Tigers handed over 19 instead.

That end of first-round pick came from Gold Coast after Richmond got involved in Charlie Dixon's trade from the Suns to Port Adelaide, with the Tigers giving up pick 31 and a future second-round pick in 2016.

Richardson said the Tigers tried to secure a lower pick to trade to Carlton, but was pleased the Blues eventually accepted pick 19.

"We always thought pick 19 was a fair deal for both parties. Obviously we worked hard all week to get something a bit lower than that, but in the end that's what we had and it's great that Carlton accepted the pick," Richardson said.

"But pick 12 for us was never on the table."

Yarran struggled for form in 2015 and leaves Ikon Park after playing 119 games for the Blues since he was drafted with pick No.6 in 2008.

Richardson was confident the Tigers could turn his form around and tipped Yarran to play across half-back for Richmond.

"That's obviously up to (coach Damien Hardwick) and the coaching staff, but more than likely as a rebounding defender, but we're obviously well-aware he's got some goalkicking ability as well," he said.

"I think a fresh start is what he was after."

The Tigers have now secured Yarran, tough midfielder Jacob Townsend and still have pick 12 in the draft. Their next selection is 52.

The Blues hold four picks inside the top 20 - the coveted first draft pick, selection No.8, 11 and 19.

After a busy final day of the trade period, Blues football boss Andrew McKay said the club decided it should move Yarran on.

He added the Blues were disappointed they couldn't secure GWS tall Adam Tomlinson.

“We considered (not accepting No.19) but I think it was in the best interests of all parties to get the deal done," McKay said of the Yarran trade.

"We tried really hard and I know Richmond tried really hard to get a lower pick for us … but they were unable to do that.

“Certainly we did speak to GWS today about (Adam) Tomlinson in some depth and we put something pretty hefty on the table but they didn’t accept that.”

The Blues also held onto 2015 leading goalkicker Andrejs Everitt, despite a late play from Gold Coast for the versatile forward.

“We spoke briefly about it. Gold Coast came to us because they were targeting Andrejs," McKay said.

"We're rapt that Andrejs (Everitt) is staying at Carlton."