Dissecting the at-times fiery confrontation, some say the narrow win to Ms Clinton isn't enough to topple the Donald Trump juggernaut.
It was essential viewing at Sydney University's US Studies Centre, as staff and academics gathered to watch the first Presidential debate.
And as the battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump came to an end, most declared Hillary Clinton the narrow winner; but others warned it wasn't enough to stop Donald Trump.
Research Director James Brown believes Mr Trump "took some bruises" but is still standing.
"Well this was Hillary Clinton's debate to lose. (There was) a lot of expectation on her to pierce the Trump bubble, to bring the debate back to reality. And I don't think she did that. Trump took some bruises, but he's still moving and he's still talking."
Dr Sarah Grahamdoesn't entirely agree with her colleague.
She says Hillary Clinton was the clear victor, and dealt Donald Trump a series of telling blows.
"She held her own, she didn't get trapped into any strong narratives on untrustworthiness. I think she dealt with her email issues quite well. And I think she looked very confident. I think she responded to some of Trump's barbs with humour, which is the appropriate response to deflate him."
There was a consensus though on two issues where Trump succeeded: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and raising doubts about Ms Clinton's suitability.
Dr Graham said his stance on race relations, and connecting with the middle class and with women, were his weak points.
"His boasting about his own income and that kind of stuff, I think that comes across pretty arrogantly for undecided voters. I thought also Donald Trump looked disappointed coming out of it, so that was another indication for me that I think he felt he didn't live up to expectations."
James Brown believes a change in strategy ultimately cost the Republican nominee.
"He was subdued in the first half of the debate, and I think that was deliberate - trying to appear more Presidential. The second half of the debate we saw him ranting and losing a bit of control. I think Secretary Clinton was able to quite artfully prod him on a few hot-bared issues. Draw him out, make him go on these rants. She clearly workshopped and gamed that. But the question is, is it enough for people watching Donald Trump for the first time, did they see enough there to be concerned about his temperament?"
Both nominees will be desperate for both control and momentum going into the second debate.
The stakes for which, James Brown says, have now been raised even higher.
"This campaign is becoming more and more of a bar fight (pub brawl). I'm not sure whether that will work in the second debate. I'm not laughing during this debate and that's for very good reason. Trump is a more real prospect I think than people in Australia want to acknowledge."
