State of Origin Qld vs NSW - how can the odds be so wrong

Queensland went into the first Rugby League State of Origin match for 2008 as outright favourites. Big bets were being placed and going by the media, I even thought it might be worth a wager. Lucky I didn't. In sport, there is rarely a 'sure thing'.
So what went wrong? How can a team with such a range of talented players go on to lose. This is a team that was so good that the likes of Scott Prince missed the team.
Did Queensland players start believing all the media hype and figured that they had it won before they even stepped on the field? Did Queensland players forget that it is their actions that determine their results, and that the action on the footy field was where the game was going to be won/lost.
Did NSW decide to prove the media wrong? Did they decide to take matters in their own hands, believe in themselves (even when others wouldn't) and came out prepared to do whatever it takes to win?
Speaking to you as an athlete, it's important to realise that having positive thoughts and self-belief can drive you to success. However, This can only happen when you act on those thoughts. That you take that self-belief out on to a playing field to play like a winner and create opportunities to win.
The meaning one gives to various situation, such as media reports, will have a huge influence on how your think and feel. This in turn will affect your action and therefore your results. A champion is better at creating the right meaning and drive that will move them towards consistent and winning results.
Whether you believe what you read or not, you will be right.